DEET or Permethrin in Atlanta Mosquito Control

DEET or Permethrin in Atlanta mosquito control? Some companies use DEET but not us. We have reasons for this that are based fundamentally on reported issues and sound scientific principles. There are many reasons why DEET can be used as a powerful insecticide. However, there are also many reasons why it should not be used where your family or members of the public can come into contact with it.

Mosquitoes do not like the smell of DEET and are repelled by it. It also kills them, as it is an effective insecticide. However, A 2013 study has shown that it seems like these insects can become adapted to DEET so its effect is reduced or even negated.(1) If this is the case, then continual spraying with this substance would eventually l have little or even no effect.

Why Use DEET in Atlanta Mosquito Control?

Why use DEET? Is it particularly safe or more effective than other insecticides or mosquito repellants? It can be said that this substance is a very powerful insecticide, and takes care of mosquitoes rapidly and effectively. However, what about its effect on you, your family and the environment?

We do not challenge the effectiveness of DEET or permethrin in mosquito control or as insecticides, but each is practically universal, killing all other insects in your yard. However, DEET is so poisonous that the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) recommends you wash it off immediately, do not breathe it in and do not bring it indoors.

It has also been reported that employees working in the Everglades National Park had a far higher likelihood of suffering insomnia, impaired cognitive function and mood disturbances than those workers who were less exposed.(2) There are many more instances, reports, and studies that question the safety of using DEET as part of an Atlanta mosquito control system.

DEET or Permethrin: Safer Atlanta Mosquito Control

If DEET has so many questions regarding its safety, perhaps even based only on anecdotal evidence, then why use it if there are safer alternatives available? Permethrin is a synthetic form of pyrethrum that is contained naturally in chrysanthemums. Here at Mr. Mister, we use permethrin in our mosquito control misting systems and sprays. This is because if you have two options why not use the safest? A simple question with an easy answer!

Neither of these chemicals is washed away rapidly by rain, although permethrin is biodegradable and is 20 times as water soluble as DEET. It can be degraded in from 1-16 weeks. DEET persists much longer in your yard because it can neither biodegrade nor does it dissolve much in water. We also offer a pyrethrum-based natural mosquito spray and while this is organic, it lasts only 14 days rather than the 21 days of our standard treatment using permethrin.

Mr. Mister offers comprehensive Atlanta mosquito control services without the inherent health dangers of DEET. If others use DEET that is their choice and we do not criticize them for it, but we prefer to use the safest control system for you and your children. If you have a need to protect your business premises then you do not want to expose your employees or clients to a greater risk than necessary.

Controlling Mosquitoes Safely

Cornell University runs a pesticide information project, and this body states publicly that employees in the Everglades National Park with extensive DEET exposure were more likely to experience mood disturbances, loss of sleep, and impaired cognitive function than workers exposed to much lower levels. Sure, just ‘more likely’, but this infers that, even at low levels, DEET is not particularly safe.

There might not be a great deal of published information on this topic, but if the trend is towards DEET being more of a danger to you and your family than permethrin, then why not just use permethrin? It is highly effective, it works and it is safer. No insecticide is ever 100% safe, but the Mr. Mister Atlanta mosquito control misting and spray systems are safer than the vast majority of others.

So: DEET or Permethrin? Those using DEET may likely offer counter-arguments, but the fact remains that this substance is recognized as having specific health hazards. Why take the risk? No matter which side you fall on, permethrin is recognized medically as being safer of the two – so why not just use it and minimize the risk to your family, visitors, employees or clients.

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Our HOA community has been using Mr. Mister for over a year now, and we couldn't be more pleased. The customer service and product are wonderful. Before Mr. Mister we couldn't enjoy sitting or playing outside due to the number of mosquito due to the wet ground in the community. I've not seen a single mosquito since we started using Mr. Mister. You won't regret it; call today!

Just had our first treatment for 2017, and Mr. Mister continues to provide excellent service. The tech, Keon Newsom arrived on time, discussed the windy weather conditions and whether it would affect the application, surveyed the yard for standing water, and got to work. He did the spraying efficiently and thoroughly, and made sure the yard gates were closed and latched to prevent dogs from exploring. I look forward to another Summer free from mosquitoes!

have been wonderfully surprised how well the service works. rarely, if ever, see mosquitoes in a privacy-fenced yard. Tech Travon Banks was very thorough and made sure he knew history of acct before starting (we have a couple of garden areas). our second year with the service and continue to be very happy with results!